Man accused of killing sister in East Haven faces judge
We’re learning more information about the killing of a woman in East Haven last week. Today, her brother went before a judge, charged in her death.
According to court documents, the victim, Donna Caponera, had Alzheimer’s, Her brother, Sean McCormack, who is accused of killing her, was also her full-time caretaker.
Court documents say on May 16 in East Haven, dispatchers received a 911 call from McCormack’s phone with no words spoken on the other line.
When police arrived at the house, they found McCormack intoxicated. They say he directed them to a room where they found Caponera unresponsive next to a knife. Later, McCormack told police that he “can’t believe what I just did’ and eventually admitted that he killed her, according to court documents.
Police learned from family members that McCormack was supposed to have been sober and was in recovery from alcoholism. He was Caponera’s full-time caretaker and power of attorney, because she had late-stage Alzheimer’s.
One family member described him to police as a good caretaker, and that he was gentle and good with Caponera. Another family member also said he was a good caretaker, but told police that McCormack recently had become burnt out from caretaking, lacking sleep, and that Caponera would become irritated with him and would sometimes hit him when agitated, according to court documents.
Police found notes from McCormack in the house, one of which read “[Expletive] Alzheimer’s” and another that implied “This is what aAlzheimer’s will do to you.”
Caponera, who was 69 years old, is known in the community for owning a daycare in East Haven for many years, a job her family said brought her tremendous joy and purpose.
Her niece, Clinton town manager Michelle Benivegna, shared the following statement with NBC Connecticut:
“Donna was an incredible woman, devoted wife, loving aunt, caring sister, and someone who dedicated so much of her life to others. She was a teacher and had owned of a daycare for many years in East Haven, working with children and their families brought her tremendous joy and purpose. She cared deeply for the children she helped raise and teach over the years, and the relationships she built meant the world to her.”
“Donna’s life was filled with family, love, and giving back to her community and the Town of East Haven whenever possible. She had a kind heart, a generous spirit, and touched so many lives through both her personal and professional life.”
The statement went on to say that the family is devastated by the loss and asked for privacy at this time.
The judge kept McCormack on a $2 million bond and noted he will receive both medical and mental health intervention. He’s due back in court next month.
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